Yankees Release Former Top-100 Prospect: What It Means

The New York Yankees just made a big roster move. They chose not to pick up the contract option for right-handed reliever Jonathan Loaisiga, which ends his time with the team.

Instead, the club exercised the option on left-handed reliever Tim Hill. That says a lot about how they’re thinking about their bullpen these days.

Loaisiga arrived in New York with plenty of hype. Before the 2019 season, MLB Pipeline and Baseball Prospectus both ranked him among their top-70 prospects.

He didn’t disappoint early on. In 2021, he put up a fantastic 2.17 ERA in 57 appearances, striking out 69 hitters in just over 70 innings.

Those numbers made him one of the league’s most dependable late-inning arms. But the good times didn’t last.

In 2022, his ERA jumped to 4.13 over 50 outings. Hitters clearly started to figure him out. He did rebound a bit in 2023, posting a 3.06 ERA, but that was in only 17 games.

Durability became a real worry. Injuries wrecked his 2024 season—he pitched just three games. That shook the Yankees’ trust in his future.

The Numbers Behind the Decision

The Yankees didn’t just look at ERA. In 2025, Loaisiga posted a 4.25 ERA in 30 appearances, but his underlying stats looked worse.

His velocity dropped, strikeouts dipped, and he started walking more hitters. That’s not what you want from a high-leverage reliever.

Paying him $5 million for 2026 felt like too much, given the decline. The Yankees decided to move on.

Tim Hill’s Role in the Yankees Bullpen

By keeping Hill and letting Loaisiga go, the Yankees made it clear they want more left-handed options in the bullpen. Hill has built a reputation as a reliable matchup guy, especially against tough lefties.

He’s always available, and his consistency stands out next to Loaisiga’s recent injury troubles.

Why a Lefty Was the Safer Bet

Modern bullpen strategy leans heavily on platoon matchups. Hill’s skill set gives Aaron Boone more ways to play the late innings.

Pairing him with the team’s power righties creates a more balanced and flexible bullpen. For a playoff contender, that kind of control over matchups is huge.

What’s Next for Loaisiga?

Now that he’s a free agent, Loaisiga heads into the offseason with a solid resume but some obvious question marks. He’s 30, still has a strong frame, and when he’s on, his fastball-changeup combo is nasty.

But he’s got to prove he can stay healthy if he wants a guaranteed deal. That’s just the reality now.

I’d expect Loaisiga to get some spring training invites from teams looking for cheap upside in the bullpen. Clubs without deep relief pitching might roll the dice, especially if their medical staff thinks they can keep him on the field.

Potential Landing Spots

Teams needing experienced relievers could take a look, especially if they’re open to managing his workload. Some possible fits:

• Small-market teams searching for affordable bullpen arms
• Playoff hopefuls willing to gamble on a comeback
• Organizations with strong pitching coaches who think they can tweak his mechanics

Final Thoughts

The Yankees decided to move on from Jonathan Loaisiga, and honestly, it just highlights how cold and practical baseball can get sometimes. Talent’s great, but if you can’t stay healthy or fit the plan, well, that’s usually the end of the line in New York.

Loaisiga’s time with the Yankees ends with a bit of a sting, but he’s not done yet. If he manages to stay healthy and lands in the right spot, he could still make an impact in the majors.

Will this move work out for the Yankees? That’ll depend on how Hill performs—and maybe a bit on whether Loaisiga finds his groove somewhere else. For now, the Bronx presses on, and Loaisiga’s out there hunting for his next shot.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees cut ties with former top-100 prospect